Comedy! Songs! Entertainment! Step right up as Heidi Armbruster chronicles the rise and fall of the Ringling Brothers: five boys from Baraboo, Wisconsin. The story of their circus—the greatest show on Earth—is bookended by the brothers’ scrappy beginnings and difficult ends. THE BOYS FROM BARABOO tells the uniquely American story of a death-defying entertainment empire: music, storytelling, grit and charm create a tale that’s equal parts vaudeville revue and prestige drama.
Enjoy Next Act Theatre’s full 2026-27 season for less! Buy Fixed Subscriptions to all four shows or Flex Passes for four flexible admissions to the shows of your choosing.
Producing Sponsors Marianne and Sheldon LubarAssociate Sponsors Bob Balderson and The Holman Family
Co-Sponsors Anonymous, Margaret Dethloff and Teri Zeh, Parallel Employment Group and Susan and Howard Schoenfeld
THE BOYS FROM BARABOO is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running throughout 2026. To learn more visit www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.
Cast
Creative Team
Heidi Armbruster, Playwright
Cody Estle, Director
Alissa Rhode, Music Director
Caroline Norton, Assistant Director
Jeffrey D. Kmiec, Scenic Designer
Noele Stollmack, Lighting Designer
Izumi Inaba, Costume Designer
Josh Schmidt, Sound Designer
Jim Guy, Properties Designer
Deanie Vallone, Dramaturg
Molly Rhode, Choreography
Evan Zes, Movement
Nat Goeller, Stage Manager
Beck Trumbull, Assistant Stage Manager